Five Offbeat Family-Friendly Destinations in Europe

The major metropolises of Western Europe are family-friendly, but they’re also everyone-friendly. Chances are, if you’re well traveled, you (and maybe your children) have already seen Paris, London, and Rome. So, if you’re looking for something different, or if you’re not interested in chasing your kids through urban hustle and bustle, consider taking your next family vacation to one of these more offbeat European destinations.

Devil's Bridge, Kassel, Germany
Photo by Matthias Stump

Fairy Tale Road, Germany:  Northeast of Frankfurt, between the towns of Hanau and Bremen, is a land of castles, cobblestone, wizards, and witches. Crossing through the home of the Brothers Grimm, Germany’s Fairy-Tale Road is thick with images that arouse whimsical imagination in the most unbelieving of mortals. Wind your way through the towns of half-timbered houses and the imposing forests that inspired the settings for your children’s favorite fables, including Sleeping Beauty, Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel, Snow White, and Little Red Riding Hood. Towns along the road embrace their storied history with puppet-shows, open-air plays, and medieval feasts. 

Lapland, Finland:  Your children will happily brave the elements for the opportunity to meet the “real” Santa Claus. Rovaniemi is home to Kris Kringle, and the city has embraced the honor with a kitschy homage that kids will love and adults will tolerate. You can visit the Santa Claus Village year round, but it’s most festive during the holiday season when there’s that unmistakable Christmas cheer in the air. Highlights include the North Pole’s post office, an exhibition on Christmas celebrations from around the world, and Santa Park, an underground theme park chock-full of holiday spirit. A bonus for parents: Lapland has stunning unspoiled landscapes and good vantage points for viewing the spectacular northern lights.   

Transylvania, Romania
Photo by Eugen

Transylvania, Romania:  Transylvania is not the unearthly land portrayed by Bram Stoker, though it can evoke a slight feeling of eeriness that visitors may find hard to shake. The region holds fast to its Dracula connection; there’s Castle Bran, which is said to be the home of the Count, a number of other Saxon fortresses, and vampire-themed hotels and cafes. Really, Transylvania is more of a pastoral region with charming, old architecture. Still, you won’t have much trouble convincing your children of its place in mythical history. And parents will love the price--Transylvania is relatively inexpensive compared to similar destinations in neighboring Western Europe.

Loire Valley, France:  This ostentatious French region is home to some of the world’s most opulent chateaux. Adults and kids alike will enjoy promenades through perfectly manicured gardens and waltzes through the grand hallways of the country’s Renaissance. Don’t miss  Chambord, the second largest palace in France (next to Versailles), or Chenonceau, with its enchanting bridge arching over the River Cher. The castles’ delightful neighboring towns will give your children the urge to sing in the streets, Beauty-and-the-Beast style.



Chenonceau Castle, Loire Valley, France

 Odense, Denmark:  Birthplace of Hans Christian Anderson, author of famous fairytales such as The Little Mermaid and Thumbelina, Odense celebrates the storywriter with statues, parades, and a museum. Perhaps influenced by its most famous citizen, the town has evolved into a child’s wonderland. There’s a railway museum, one of Europe’s best-preserved water castles, and an impressive zoo. Nearby Billund is home to Legoland, another family-friendly Danish destination.  The kids will be especially happy if you stay at Lalandia, a resort complex with an indoor waterpark.

Alsace, France: Where the Cuckoo Clock Meets the Croissant

Best For:  Culture, Culinary Scene, Charm, Natural Beauty, Off the Beaten Path
Best Time to Visit:  April through October 

Bergheim, France

You know that stereotype about French people being... well... snooty?  Alsatians squash it.  A couple of years ago, my friends and I got stuck on Alsace's Route du Vin (Wine Road), with no bikes, no car, and absolutely no hope of catching the last train back to Switzerland.  Not too concerned about our plight, we walked along the road, high on the amazing wine we had been tasting and the views of the vineyards under the setting sun.  We began to notice an incredible phenomenon.  The Alsatians in nearly every car that passed us honked, smiled, and.... waved.  And not just a casual acknowledging wave... A jolly, hearty, clown-like wave.  We had expected this kind of hospitality from the restaurant and vineyard owners but not from the random people on the side of the road.  The spirit of the Alsatian people remind me of how I would sum up this region: delightful.

Streets of Strasbourg

Culture:  This region maintains strong ties with its German heritage while remaining proudly French in character.  Having changed hands between the two countries several times, Alsace offers travelers a unique blend of cultures.  Castle ruins line the ridges of the Vosges Mountains, evidence of the region's extensive history as an area of geographical importance.  Cultural tourists will also want to visit Strasbourg's stately, gothic Cathedrale Notre Dame and Colmar's world-class museums 
  

Culinary Scene:  Many people visit Alsace solely for its delicious cuisine - and with good reason, as it's home to 27 Michelin star restaurants.  The Route du Vin spans over 100 miles and is dotted with 67 wine villages.  Winemakers happily open the doors of their winstubs (wine cellars) to tourists who come to sample the white varietals grown in the area.  Alsace's bi-cultural history is especially evident in its food, as many traditional French dishes are served with a German twist.  Coq au vin comes with a side of spaetzel, and duck confit is dished up with sauerkraut.  Regional specialties include tarte flambe and Baeckeoffe.  The Route du Vin celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, making 2013 an excellent time to visit and savor Alsace's culinary delights.

Colmar canals

Charm:  Alsace's villes fleuries (flower towns) are bursting with charm.  Characterized by half-timbered houses and flower boxes on every window, these near perfectly-preserved medieval villages will make visitors feel as if they've stumbled into a real-life fairy tale.  Explore the nooks and crannies of the towns' cobblestone streets, or park yourself at a cafe and watch village life pass by.  You'll especially love Riquewihr's old town walls and Kaysersberg's castle views.

Natural Beauty:  Nature enthusiasts will be entranced by Alsace's rolling vineyards, set against the backdrop of the Vosges Mountains.  Vineyard walks and hillside hikes are great ways to get immersed in the scenery.  The Sentier Viticole des Perles du Vignoble is one of the area's most scenic vineyard trails.

Off the Beaten Path:  Alsace is one of France's best-kept secrets.  Though you will find other tourists here, the majority of them will not be American.  Conversations will involve exaggerated hand signals and piecing together bits of the French (or German) that you learned in high school.  Bring a car, a bike, or a good pair of walking shoes - many of the sites you'll want to see in this region are not accessible by train.

Many people can see the highlights of Alsace in about three days.  Here are some suggestions for adding on to your trip:

Vineyards along the Route du Vin

Nearby destinations that are similar to Alsace include Luxembourg and Germany's Romantic Road.  You can get to either destination in under 3 hours.


Want to add a little hustle and bustle to your trip?  Try nearby Paris, which has French culture, cuisine, and charm, but also offers great shopping and nightlife.